Ryan’s top for Hatters

taken a lot of unfair stick but he has the talent, the experience and the mentality we need.”

It was a bad day all round for Boro as they lost on home soil for the first time since last October.

Their winless sequence stretches back to New Year’s Day and they’re now looking nervously over their shoulder as the gap between themselves and the relegation zone narrowed to six points.

Manager Jonathan Woodgate offered no excuses: “I’m not happy. Our final ball was terrible and we just weren’t good enough.

“I certainly don’t blame the fans for booing us.”

The Hatters didn’t perform like a team who go to pieces when they leave Kenilworth Road.

Boro’s Paddy McNair tested Simon Sluga early on but the visitors’ keeper had little else to do in a scrappy

MIDDLESBROUGH LUTON 0 ........ Shots on Target .......... 1 4 ........ Shots off Target ......... 5 8 ................ Corners ................. 9 9 .................. Fouls .................. 14 1 ................ Offsides ................ 0 71.4 . Passing Success %...57.7 343 ...... Total Passes ........ 265 58.2 .... Possession % ...... 41.8 50.5.Territorial Adv %..49.5

encounter.

Tunnicliffe’s first goal in 33 appearances this term was worth the wait.

Dan Potts’ left-wing cross skimmed off the head of George Friend for the midfielder to meet the ball first time, sweeping home with a left-foot volley.

Luton could have doubled their lead on 34 minutes but Cameron Carter-Vickers’ header struck Jonny Howson.

Boro’s best chance fell to sub Britt Assombalonga but he headed Hayden Coulson’s 75th-minute centre over the bar.